In 2013 Altoona began working with the Polk County Health Department when we were readying for the Blue Zones application. Although we did not receive the Blue Zones designation, we did forge a wonderful partnership with the Health Department. The healthy community work in Altoona was a good fit for the Health Department’s Community Transformation initiative. In September 2013, the Health Department’s Community Transformation Steering Committee nominated Altoona as the recipient of Community Transformation Grant (CTG) offering technical support and $5,000 to support our work.

The CTG is funded through the Iowa Department of Public Health via the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The Grant’s purpose is to reduce risk factors responsible for the leading causes of death and disability by creating healthier communities.

The Community Transformation grant bases it work on the premise that it all starts in a community. Communities shape people and influence all areas of our life, including health. This initiative creates links between the individual, their community, the state of Iowa, and Polk County.

Thank you Polk County Health Department for designating Altoona the recipient of your support in 2014!